In the Abrahamic religions, Gabriel is an archangel, first described in the Hebrew Bible.
Annunciation of Gabriel by Jan van Eyck, 1434
In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions (Daniel 8:15–26, 9:21–27). The archangel also appears in the Book of Enoch and other ancient Jewish writings. Alongside the archangel Michael, Gabriel is described as the guardian angel of Israel, defending its people against the angels of the other nations. Gabriel is also translated as "strength of God" in some languages.
